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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How do we respond to Sam Harris? | 1 Pet 3:15 | Parable | 177124 | ||
BradK, You asked "Why do we need to respond to Sam Harris?" First, because scripture commands us to always be ready to "...make a defense to EVERYONE who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..." 1 Peter 3:15. Second, because he charges that faith itself is ultimately dangerous for humanity and lots of people are listening to him, see below. You asked "What credentials does he posses?" He is a graduate in philosophy from Stanford and is completing a doctorate in neuroscience, studying the neural basis of belief, disbelief and uncertainty. His book is an award-winning NY Times Bestseller and has received glowing endorsements from many notable figures in contemporary social dialogue. You asked "why should we listen to him?" Because he makes credible arguments that are persuasive to a vast audience. Essentially, his position is summarized on page 106, "Whenever you hear that people have begun killing noncombatants intentionally and indiscriminately, ask yourself what dogma stands at their backs. What do these freshly minted killers BELEVE? You will find that it is always -- ALWAYS - preposterous." He includes a detailed historical overview of many atrocities committed in the name of God, including by christians (the crusades, the inquisition) and by present day muslims (suicide bombings, jihad), and an analysis of the belief systems of several religions. He also describes that many of us so-called religious "moderates" have a hard time admitting that atrocities were rightly committed in the name of God because we ourselves do not actually beleive what our religions teach regarding what must be done with heretics, for example. That is, Harris charges that most of us conveniently disregard much of our own scriptures in order to live with our modern-minded selves, and we cannot honestly endorse the actions of those who do fully embrace and act on everything our scriptures command. Ignoring Harris' argument would be seen as confirming his hypothesis. So, how do we as christians give answer? |
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2 | How do we respond to Sam Harris? | 1 Pet 3:15 | mark d seyler | 177130 | ||
Hi Parable, I regret that I lack the time to give a more detailed answer to you, but I can offer you this. If you word-search "faith" in the Bible, you will find, among other things, that: Without faith, you cannot please God. You must believe that He exists, and is a rewarder of those who seek Him. God has given to each of us a measure of faith. By grace we are saved through faith. We are kept by the power of God through faith. Faith is mandatory - without faith, you cannot be saved. BUT - only faith in God. You can believe all you want in a false god, and that faith won't save you. James also speaks of a faith that won't save you, which is a faith that doesn't prove itself in your life. Murderers may claim faith, but theirs isn't the faith the Bible teaches. Just because someone says that they have faith, so what? And just because someone else has a false faith, or faith in a false god, that doesn't mean that faith itself is bad, or that faith in the true and living God isn't required. So my response would be, in a nutshell, that Mr Harris is throwing the baby out with the bathwater, a poor practice indeed. Love in Christ, Mark |
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3 | How do we respond to Sam Harris? | 1 Pet 3:15 | Parable | 177136 | ||
This is another excellent contribution to the answer I seek. Thank you. | ||||||